Woman injured by firework sues school district, security company

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — A Midlands woman injured during a Fourth of July fireworks show filed a lawsuit against a school district and its security company, according to court filings.

Leah McCleskey and her husband Jonathan filed the lawsuit on October 23, naming Richland County School District 1 and Sizemore Inc. as defendants.

In July, the McCleskeys and their 4-year-old son attended a fireworks show at Hand Middle School. According to the lawsuit, the son jumped off Leah McCleskey's lap moments before a firework hit her in the torso.

The complaint alleged on-site security did not take enough preventative measures to ensure the public's safety. Documents stated the school district relies on Sizemore Inc. for security.

The lawsuit claimed a Sizemore security guard tried to get John McCleskey to sign a paper as his wife was loaded into an ambulance. The filing does not describe the paper in detail.

Leah McCleskey spent 42 days at the JMS Burn Center in Augusta, accruing over $1.3 million in medical bills. The lawsuit stated the couple will require more physical and emotional care.

Richland School District One declined to comment on the pending litigation.